Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown dies aged 65: Star's family and legions of fans left in shock as Scottish singer whose Tartan-clad band sold 100m records and found fame around the world in the 1970s passes away 'suddenly'
- Family have announced the death of Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown at 65
- In post shared online, it was confirmed singer suddenly died at home on Tuesday
- Devastated friends and fans around the world have paid tribute to the frontman Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown has died at the age of 65, his family have announced.
The Scottish vocalist, who fronted the iconic pop rock band during their 1970s heyday and helped them secure worldwide success with songs including Bye Bye Baby and Shang-a-Lang, died suddenly at home.
Today the singer's family expressed their 'profound sadness' as they announced his passing on the band's Facebook page.
A statement read: 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father Leslie Richard McKeown.
'Leslie died suddenly at home on Tuesday 20 April 2021. We are currently making arrangements for his funeral.
Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown has died at the age of 65, his family have announced
The Scottish vocalist fronted the iconic pop rock band during their 1970s heyday
Les McKeown found worldwide fame in Scottish pop group the Bay City Rollers in the 1970s
'If you would like to remember Leslie, please make a donation in his name to: [details] We thank you and ask for privacy after the shock of our profound loss. Thank you. Keiko and Jubei McKeown'
A cause of death has yet to be declared.
Born in Edinburgh to Irish parents, McKeown, who was known for his romantic lyrics and Tartan-clad fashion, joined the Bay City Rollers, in late 1973.
He replaced founding lead singer Gordon 'Nobby' Clark, who had become disillusioned with the band's musical direction.
His arrival coincided with the Bay City Rollers' ascent to fame and McKeown remained lead vocalist until 1978, appearing on Top Of The Pops on a number of occasions.
The band, who in the press were heralded as 'biggest group since the Beatles', broke through into the mainstream in 1974 after a series of singles which failed to dent the charts.
They went on to gather a large teenage following and sold more than 100 million records, gaining popularity with their distinctive tartan outfits and upbeat pop songs like Bye Bye Baby and Shang-a-Lang
Alongside McKeown and guitarist Alan Longmuir, the classic line-up also included guitarists Eric Faulkner and Stuart Wood and Longmuir's younger brother Derek on drums.
They split up in 1978 before McKeown, Longmuir and Wood reunited for a comeback tour in 2015 - with tickets selling out in minutes.
McKeown also went on to have a successful solo career, which included nine solo albums, the last of which, The Lost Songs, was released in 2016. Today former manager John MacLaughlan said the pop star had been hoping to get back on the stage again and was 'one of the hardest working men in the music industry'.
He said: 'I'm very sad and shocked and so is Peko, his wife.
'She is heartbroken and called me from Les' phone with the news. I picked up and thought it was Les wanting a chat.
'I'm still in shock right now, I spoke to him last week and he was on great form and happy about life and happy to book his tour. We were friends as well as working partners.
'He was hoping to get it all going again and he was one of the hardest working men in the music industry.
'We got on so great and he was great fun to be around. He had his moments but was always a good laugh to be around and a great performer.
Formed at the end of the 1960s, the Bay City Rollers enjoyed huge success at home and abroad
Pictured: the band had a massive teen following and sold more than 100 million records
The former Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown, pictured with his wife Peko Keiko (left and right), has been described as one of the hardest working men in the music industry after his death on Tuesday
He added: 'He was a great singer. The Bay City Rollers were the biggest band in the world in the mid seventies and beyond.
'They had their own TV show and Rollermania. They flew the flag for Scotland and made me think as a wee boy watching the telly you can be a popstar and in music and they meant a lot to me getting involved in music and the industry and the clothes and the hair and image were brilliant and the gang mentality was amazing.
'I'm honoured to have worked with them.'
Guitarist Stuart Woody Wood said: 'I am upset and shocked to hear this very sad news.
'Les and I had our differences over the years but even though we had disagreements we are sending our heartfelt condolences to Peko wife and his son Jubie and all the Bay City Rollers Fans. It's a sad day in Bay City Roller history.
'He was a great performance on stage and he was full of energy. Iwas roadying when Les first came into the band and I saw his first gig when he took over from Nobby Clark and injected new life into the band.
'I was fifteen and he was seventeen. I joined properly when I turned sixteen in 74. He had lots of energy on stage.'
McKeown's passing comes after bassist Ian Mitchell, who joined the band in 1976 when he was 17 to replace founding member Longmuir, died aged 62 in September 2020.
Mitchell, who was from Northern Ireland, was the first band member born outside of Edinburgh, but left after seven months.
The band was formed by Alan Longmuir, who died in 2018, with his younger brother Derek
While Mitchell was with the Rollers, they released the 1976 album Dedication and a cover version of Dusty Springfield's I Only Want to Be With You.
But he found tensions within the band hard to cope with and departed that December, to be replaced by guitarist Pat McGlynn.
While with the Bay City Rollers Mitchell recorded one album, Dedication, in 1976, and had a hit cover of the Dusty Springfield song 'I Only Want to be With You.'
The track reached number 12 on the US charts.
He also earned a mention in Friends in a 2001 episode when Monica and Chandler get engaged.
In 2018, the band's bassist Alan Longmuir died at the age of 70.
The 70-year-old musician, who co-founded the Scottish pop group with his brother Derek, died in hospital after contracting an illness in Mexico while on holiday with wife Eileen.
He was flown back to Scotland and placed into care at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Falkirk, where he spent three days fighting for his life before succumbing the the virus.
In 2002, the band's drummer Derek Longmuir, who founded the group with his brother Alan, was sentenced to 300 hours of community service at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for possessing child pornography.
He pleaded guilty to the offence, but maintained the offending materials did not belong to him and were instead left behind by an acquaintance.
On the official Bass City Rollers Twitter page today a message read: 'We are saddened by the news of Leslie McKeown's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Peko and his son Jubei, their family and friends. Rest In Peace, Leslie'.
Meanwhile former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith wrote: 'One of my first loves. I'm feeling some teen heartache but know it'll be very real for his family and friends. Sending love, condolences and thanks for the memories.'
Elsewhere boxer Frank Bruno wrote: 'RIPLesMcKeown Bay City Rollers frontman he was part of the music scene when I was growing up & I remember tartan clad girls all screaming.
'It was a hysteria era music wise with The Osmond's David Cassidy & Bay City Rollers seems like yesterday I was more into Reggae & soul music.'
Tributes have been paid to the former frontman of the Bay City Rollers on social media
The other key members of the Bay City Rollers
Eric Faulkner
Faulkner joined the Bay City Rollers in 1972 as their guitarist and was one of the main faces of the band over the years
Faulkner joined the Bay City Rollers in 1972 as their guitarist and was one of the main faces of the band over the years.
He co-wrote more than half of the recorded catalogue of Rollers songs including the 'Money Honey' and 'Love Me Like I Love You'.
Faulkner also worked on a reformed version of the band in the 1990s.
In the last 10 years Faulkner has appeared at a number of music festivals including Parkfest and The Edinburgh Guitar and Music Festival.
According to a book by fellow Bay City Rollers star, Alan Longmuir, Faulkner had a major health scare in 2015 when he developed viral encephalitis - an inflammation of the brain.
In recent years, Faulkner, now 66, has written his own folk music, which he posts for free, with an option of a donation, on his website.
Stuart Wood
Stuart Wood, known as 'Woody', was a guitarist in the Bay City Rollers
Stuart Wood, known as 'Woody', was a guitarist in the Bay City Rollers. He joined in 1974, helping the band to make their breakthrough.
After his success with The Rollers, Wood moved to South Africa and performed in a band called The Passengers, which became a chart topping success throughout the 1980s.
He later returned home to Scotland and in 2007 produced the debut album for Scottish folk duo the MacDonald Brothers.
Wood is still said to be active in music.
In a 2019 interview with the Sun, he said his biggest regret was not getting one last Saturday Night out with his late bandmate Alan Longmuir.
Alan Longmuir
Alan Longmuir was one of the founding members of the Bay City Rollers, along with his younger brother Derek
Alan Longmuir was one of the founding members of the Bay City Rollers, along with his younger brother Derek. He played bass guitar.
In 1976, at the height of the band's popularity, Longmuir left and was replaced by Mitchell, who was later replaced by Patrick McGlynn.
Longmuir returned to the group in 1978 following McGlynn's departure.
He later became the owner of Castle Campbell Hotel in Dollar, Clackmannanshire, but suffered two heart attacks and a stroke.
Longmuir died, aged 70, in hospital in Scotland after contracting an illness while on holiday in Mexico.
Derek Longmuir
Derek Longmuir was one of the founding members and the drummer for the Bay City Rollers
Derek Longmuir was one of the founding members and the drummer for the Bay City Rollers.
He retired from music in the 1980s and trained in nursing.
He was sentenced to 300 hours of community service after admitting possessing child pornography in 2000.
When police raided Longmuir's home they found child pornography on videos, photographs and computer images.
He pleaded guilty to the offence, but maintained the offending materials did not belong to him and were instead left behind by an acquaintance.
Ian Mitchell
Ian Mitchell (pictured in 1976) joined the band, aged 17, replacing bassist Alan Longmuir - but left after seven months with the Scots group, dubbed as 'tartan teen sensations'.
Ian joined the band in 1976, aged 17, replacing bassist Alan Longmuir - but left after seven months with the Scots group, dubbed as 'tartan teen sensations'.
However the musician made a lasting impact with the band, with whom he recorded the hit Dusty Springfield cover 'I Only Want to be With You'.
While with the Bay City Rollers Ian recorded one album, Dedication, in 1976, and had a hit cover of the Dusty Springfield song 'I Only Want to be With You.'
The track reached number 12 on the US charts.
He also earned a mention in Friends in a 2001 episode when Monica and Chandler get engaged.
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